Celebrating National Lipstick Day with the Greatest Lippies of All Time

Arguably the most popular lipstick to come out of the last decade is MUA Charlotte Tilbury’s ‘Pillow Talk’, which she claims will give you ‘the best lips of your life’.

Universally loved, best-selling and award-winning, this lippy promises a fuller looking pout, plus a long-lasting and hydrating formular. The bullet of product is enriched with nourishing orchid and lipstick tree extracts which promise to nourish and treat your lips to a surge of hydration, with a velvety finish.

What is especially impressive about this product is it’s iconic ‘nude-pink’ shade that pretty much looks fabulous on any face/set of lips no matter your skin tone. The colour is in fact so successful, that Tilbury has created a whole range of cosmetic products revolving it. Pillow Talk is available in a very generous variety of products spanning shadow palettes, lip liners, mascaras and more!

If you’re new to the lippy game, Pillow Talk is fabulous product to dip your toes (lips) in.

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick, $49, Charlotte Tilbury

Another iconic lipstick, this time from professional cosmetic company M.A.C, is their Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo. This lipstick was one of their very first products, and M.A.C claim it to be the reason the company became famous. Since its inception, Ruby Woo had officially earned her place as the best-selling lipstick of all time and it’s clear to see why.

Marketed as the makeup giant’s most famous lipstick icon, and #1 red lipstick worldwide, Ruby Woo’s velvety blue-red colour is surely stunning. Universally flattering on all skin tones, the deep red shade is romantic, deep and a scarlet that truly radiates on everyone.

Intense in colour and completely matte in finish, this bullet of scarlet is hyper long wearing, proven to stay put for a minimum of 8 hours.

If you’re ever feeling lack-lustre and looking for a cosmetic pick-me-up, Ruby Woo is an instantaneous lift that will have you feeling fierce in a second!

M.A.C Retro Matte Lipstick, $32, M.A.C Cosmetics

Earning it’s stripes a one of the most hydrating matte finished lip products on the market, Giorgio Armani’s Lip Maestro is a seriously good lipstick.

Formulated as a gel consistency, applied with a plush wand before drying super velvety, this formula is luxurious in every sense of the word. The gel glides on seamlessly over the lips, nourishing, defining, and enhancing them to leave a flawless finish. Expect this goodness to stay put for up to 8 hours, with reapplication an absolute dream.

It goes without saying, that if you’re a fan of Mr Armani’s beauty products, you’ll know that shade 400 in his lip and nail offering is his most iconic. Defined as a mid-red with deep tones, this classic shade is universally loved for good reason. The perfect romantic rouge to get you feeling alive.

If you’re looking for a lippy that is nourishing for dry lips, easy to apply and offered in a shade guaranteed to lift your look, Armani’s Lip Maestro in 400 is an easy choice.

Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro, $62, Adore Beauty

You’ve probably seen it all over your TikTok feeds and featured on the Instagram’s of beauty influencers far and wide, but Clinique’s Almost Lipstick in shade Black Honey is deserving on our list of all-time greatest lippies.

The formula of this one is sheer, glossy and likened to a vey nourishing balm. Enriched with a cohort of emollients, natural oils and nourishing goodies, Almost Lipstick will 100% leave your lips in better condition than before application.

This product is especially impressive due to its adaptive pigment technology. The transparent pigment actually merges with the natural tone of your lips to create something totally unique and beautiful, suiting your tone perfectly. No two shades will be the same, and we think a lipstick that moves to the beat of your own drum is pretty special.

Formulated without nasties like parabens, phthalates and fragrance, we’re confident your lips will thank you with every application of Clinique’s Almost Lipstick in Black Honey.

Clinique Almost Lipstick, $41, Myer

For those with a preference of a shined and balmy finish to their lipstick, DIOR’s Addict Lacquer Lipstick might just be the perfect formular for you!

One of the newer iterations of Dior’s lipstick collection, the Addict Lacquer Stick has been described as a “lip fondant”. What exactly does that mean? A creamy texture that melts deliciously onto the lips with all the shine of a lacquer, plus the comfort and ease of a lip balm.

Although this bullet of shade doesn’t promise the same longevity as our matte counterparts above, it will hold for an impressive 6 hours and for a glossy lipstick, that’s as good as it’s going to get!

Dior’s colour, ‘Hollywood Red’ is the perfect romantic red that isn’t too light, nor too dark. Filled with pigment to promise that oomph we love from high-end beauty, Dior’s Addict Lacquer Lipstick in Hollywood Red is truly iconic.

DIOR Addict Lacquer Lipstick, $59, Myer

In a true stroke of luxury, Tom Ford’s Lip Colour Lipstick is the creamy, saturated and long-lasting bullet of indulgence we all deserve to try in our lifetime. The unmatched man of high-end beauty and ultimate in chic, it would be remiss of us to not include Mr Ford in our round of the greatest lipsticks of all time.

This particular formula excludes indulgence, featuring rare and exotic ingredients like soja seed extract, Brazilian murumuru butter and chamomilla follower oil. All these and more create the ultimate base that is creamy, hydrating and makes for an incredibly smooth and sultry application.

When it comes to shade, nobody quite nails it like Mr Ford. An innate eye for colour in the fashion world has transcended clearly throughout his beauty offering, and the Tom Ford Woman is truly spoilt for choice when it comes to flattering hues. Mr Ford’s Scarlet Rouge is truly one iconic shade, the perfect balance of red, orange and earthen browns.

Tom Ford Lip Colour Lipstick, $82, Myer

Another truly iconic lip product coming out of the Tilbury camp has got to be the Look of Love Lipstick in K-I-S-S-I-N-G Nude Romance. A universally flattering shade of peachy nude in a magical, refillable bedazzled bullet.

Created after Pillow Talk, this particular shade was born due to the request for something similar to the iconic colour, but with a peachier twist. A universally adored shade, this hue has been likened to a kiss of peachy rose petals on the lips. This nuanced, neutral shade not only looks good on all lips but gives your pout a fuller appearance.

Formulated in the same dreamy and creamy bullet with a satin finish, this nourishing lipstick ticks all boxes. The perfect almost-matte finish that works for those on the drier side, enjoy a range of natural oils and hydrators to keep your pout happy.

If you’re already a fan of Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk, you’re going to love K-I-S-S-I-N-G Nude Romance.

Charlotte Tilbury Look of Love Lipstick, $57, Charlotte Tilbury

According to a Daily Mail article published in 2020, Velvet Teddy was voted the best lipstick in Australia, by thousands of Australian women. Also coined as Kylie Jenner’s favourite lippy (pre-Kylie Cosmetics days) it’s clear that M.A.C’s Velvet Teddy is adored by many around the globe.

This brown-nude shade has reached cult status due to its universally flattering shade profile. Balanced with deeps notes of beige and rose, this exceptionally nuanced hue is feminine, flirty and fun.

Just as the name suggests, Velvet Teddy has a suedey, matte finish. Formulated in M.A.C’s impressive matte recipe, this bullet glides on like a dream, before finishing off with a velvety texture that will stay all day. Enriched with goodies to keep your lips happy, enjoy the benefits of vitamin E to support a supple and hydrated pout.

If you’re after a rosy, browny, beigey shade that is guaranteed to flatter you, M.A.C’s Velvet Teddy is the lippy about to be your pout and handbag’s best friend!

M.A.C Matte Lipstick, $32, Adore Beauty

Let us proclaim, in order to be inconic, you don’t havce to come with a premium price tag. The good people at Maybelline New York have been delivering the world effective, clever and accessible cosmetic products for decades. Within their offering, a few lip products have well and truly stood the test of time and sold MILLIONS of units globally.

In particular, their Superstay Matte Ink Lipstick has been a gamechanger. This liquid to matte formulation, applied with the ease of a soft wand, has not only the vibrancy of impressive pigments, but the staying power of up to 16 hours (which is pretty much unheard of anywhere else!).

The formula is saturated, inky and built to last. Available in 10 trend-driven tones inspired by the runway and created to flatter your look, we’re confident there is a shade available to perfectly suit your pout.

In terms of one of the most iconic hues, Ringleader is up there. This deep and dusty red pink is the perfect almost natural flush of colour to wear day to night.

Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink, $21.95, Adore Beauty

Rihanna’s beauty baby, Fenty, is full to the brim with products that have not only reached cult status, but ones that have disrupted the international beauty scene. So, when it comes down to BadGalRiRi’s most popular lipstick, which reigns supreme? It’s clear that within the Fenty Lippy scene, the Slip Shine Sheer Shiny Lipstick is the most popular product, by far.

Thanks to its ultra-comfortable, super sheer formulation, this lipstick is almost like a balm that promises more, and delivers. Designed to be more flexible and less restrictive than traditional lipstick, Slip Shine Sheer Shiny Lipstick comprises the perfect amount of nourishing ingredients with the perfect amount of colour.

Clinically proven to lock in moisture, thanks to being infused with pomegranate butter and other nourishing goodies, this bullet of goodness doesn’t only look good, but is good for those lips of yours.

When it comes down to the most iconic colours in Fenty Beauty’s Slip Shine Sheer Shiny Lipstick, it’s a close call between Retro Rose and Goji Gang.

Fenty Beauty Slip Shine Sheer Shiny Lipstick, $37, Sephora

Another iconic lipstick coming from the House of Giorgio Armani is the imitable Rouge D’Armani Matte Lipstick range. A collection of red and rose hues designed to flatter and seduce, these sensual shades are every sense of the word iconic.

Presented to us in a luxurious bullet housing a formula that is a true matte finish, this featherlight lipstick harnesses the cleverest hybrid gel-powder technology. It glides on like a dream for a comfortable and nourishing first contact, before transforming into a powdery kiss. Perfectly pigmented, a little goes a long way here, the formula will precisely envelop your lips for a long time.

This transfer-resistant lipstick not only promises to stay put, but also assures a hydrating treatment. Packed full of emollients likened to a lip balm, this creamy consistency will hydrate and protect your lips.

Available in a cohort of sensual shades, we cannot wait for you to try any of Mr Armani’s Rouge D’Armani Matte Lipsticks for yourself.

Giorgio Armani Rouge D’Armani Matte Lipstick, $63, Adore Beauty

British godmother of all things sparkle and opulence, makeup artist Pat McGrath has been setting new standards within the global beauty scene since the inception of her eponymous line ‘Pat McGrath Labs’ back in 2015. Also the Beauty Editor at large for British Vogue since 2017, this woman knows a thing or two about the power of makeup to nail a look.

When creating her own products, she is fuelled by developing cosmetics that don’t yet exist, but should, this is precisely the case when it came to her MatteTrance Lipstick collection. Dubbed the most sought-after lipstick in the world, this matte bullet is blended with optical diffusers for a seamless finish. This subtle yet velvety texture harnesses vibrant colour without being drying at all.

Shade ‘Divine Rose’ is a testament to the know-how and experience McGrath has within the colour space. An impressively balanced neutral rose shade with cool pink undertones, it will fit very nicely as a perfect ‘barely there’ hue for many.

Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick, $59.44, Net-a-Porter